Author: Diane Merrill Wigginton
Series: Jeweled Dagger Series (Book 3) (Part of The Benjamin Franklin Award Winning Series)
Genre: Historical Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Jeweled Dagger Publishing
Release Date: Aug 4 2017
Edition/Format: 1st Edition/Formats ~ eBook &
Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
The year is 1804.
Lady Olivia Sophia Allen Townsend has just turned 20 years old, beautiful and
considered by some in polite society far too eccentric for her own good. When
Olivia was younger, she was very open about her gift of being able to see
spirits, but the shunning by her peers has caused her to turn her back on those
who need her the most - spirits caught between two worlds. That is until her
best friend Lilly Collins comes to her in the middle of the night and asks for
her help. Lilly can’t remember what happened to her so finds herself in need of
Olivia’s unique gifts.
Olivia’s younger sister, Coco, is also gifted with a unique
set of skills - she can touch someone and know things about them that they
would sometimes prefer to keep hidden. Together, the sisters set off on a sea
voyage, from Ireland to America, intent on solving the mystery of Lilly’s
untimely death.
Brody and Quinton Beaumont, fine-looking, eligible, southern
American gentlemen, and heirs to a successful cotton empire, are twins hiding a
deep dark secret. Their mother, Annabelle Beaumont, died eight years earlier on
the night of their annual birthday winter ball, yet she continues to rule over
their plantation home with an iron fist.
Olivia, drawn to no man, feels suddenly akin to Brody
Beaumont, but she must figure out if she can trust him, and if he or his
brother had anything to do with Lilly’s death.
I awoke with a start
to find Coco gone. Panicked, I leapt from the bed, ran to her room and found it
empty. “Margot, where are you, woman?” I shouted, the sound of my own voice
reverberated off the walls. The rooms were empty.
Quickly dressing in a
Grecian-inspired, muslin white gown with tiny pink rosebuds embroidered around
the neckline and hem, I picked up a soft pink shawl to keep my arms warm and
left the room. Half way down the stairs, I could hear loud laughter coming from
the sunroom. One voice in particular was very familiar — my father’s.
His booming laughter quickened my steps and, as I rounded
the corner, I hesitated a moment. I was not sure of the reception I would
receive. Composing myself before stepping through the doorway, I decided the
doting daughter would be my best move in this situation. I rushed through the
door and immediately came face to face with Father.
Throwing myself into his arms, I greeted him as if I hadn’t
seen him in months, which I hadn’t. “Oh father, you finally arrived. I have
missed you so,” I cried, planting kisses on both his cheeks. Then turning to my
mother, I made a dramatic show of throwing my arms around her as well. “And
Mother, it has been an eternity. How was your trip? Uneventful I hope,” I
rambled, embracing her and kissing both of her cheeks. “Coco was just saying
last night, how she hoped you would receive our message in time to attend the
Beaumont’s annual party, and here you are!”
“Yes, here we are,” Mother repeated, in a tone that let me
know she wasn’t for one minute buying what I was selling.
“How fortuitous,” I stated gleefully, feeling like a trapped
animal.
“Yes, how fortuitous, indeed,” Father mimicked, with a death
stare that made my insides turn liquid. A nervous laugh bubbled up from
somewhere inside escaping my lips, while I turned three shades of red. “I can
only assume that everyone has introduced themselves.”
“Yes, and I have already made arrangements for your parents
to stay in the same wing of the house as you and your sister,” Harrison said,
gesturing towards the table. “Perhaps we can all sit down and enjoy a lovely
breakfast together.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Beaumont, that would be most hospitable
of you, considering my daughters have already intruded upon your generosity,”
Mother stated, taking ahold of my arm, escorting me to the table, while Father
flanked me on the other side, like a pair of armed guards escorting a prisoner.
My eyes wandered over
to Coco in hopes that she would help me in some way. But she suddenly found
something interesting to stare at in her lap. Coward!
“We haven’t decided
to stay,” Father informed me, then cleared his throat. “I’ve sent Captain
Bellamy home to unload his cargo. So it seems that you and your sister will be
traveling back with us.”
“If you will allow me to say, sir, Olivia is a tough
negotiator. I believe I may have lost money on our deal,” Brody interjected,
seeing the stricken look in my eyes.
“You don’t say!” Father turned to give Brody the full
measure of his scrutiny.
“Why, yes. She
wouldn’t budge from the amount she was willing to pay. I tried everything, but
Olivia didn’t blink. She was very convincing when she stood up and thanked me
for my time,” Brody laughed and shook his head. “I believe she would have
actually walked away. In the end, I was the one who blinked.”
“You don’t say,” Mother mused, looking at me with fresh
eyes.
“Your daughter truly is a shrewd negotiator, Lady Townsend,”
Brody replied, never averting his eyes, even when I blushed and looked away.
I smiled to myself, taking the seat next to Coco, who
finally decided to look up at me. The little turn coat!
“You didn’t give the farm away, did you, boy?” Harrison
choked on his coffee, sputtering and coughing into his white linen napkin.
“No Father, I did not give the farm away. I simply did as I
was taught. I made up the difference on the next deal I made,” Brody assured
him, before giving me a wry smile and a wink.
This caused Coco to giggle into her napkin, then cover it up
with a cough, while reaching for her cup of tea. “Something in my throat…”
“I would expect nothing less of Olivia,” Father stated with
pride. “I taught her to play poker when she was only six. Take my word on this
one, she is very good at a bluff.”
Brody gave a hearty laugh. “Believe me, I know.”
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Born in Riverside,
California in 1963, my family and I moved to San Diego when I was nearly 8. I
had a very rich life growing up, with my brother, David and best friend Gigi,
for company. I was married to my current husband, David in 1998 and we moved to
Herald, California in 2001. We have a blended family of 6 kids and enjoy the
rural life on our 5 1/2 acre ranch, 45 minutes south of Sacramento. I love
writing and creating stories that are different and intriguing. I like to give
my readers a little something unexpected. I have always wanted to be a
published author, but the timing never seemed right. Raising a family and working
full time always took precedence. Shortly after I turned 50 I decided that it
would never be the right time, and determined that I needed to live my truth
and follow my dreams. So I began writing on a whim, and loved everything about
it. My first book is out, and the second one is at the publishers, scheduled to
be released, April 4, 2017. I am currently working on book 3 of my series,
slated to release the first week in August, 2017. I am very excited about the
future, and thrilled to be writing. I count my blessings every day because I
know how truly lucky I am. Life is good.
Facebook
Page/Book Page Angelina’s Secret
Twitter @Dianesunny
Website/Publisher
Jeweled Dagger Publishing
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